An experimental approach to the determination of the gross activity of uranium, plutonium, americium and strontium in human biological samples using solid-state scintillation
Authors: Janda Jiři, Ticha Jitka
Keywords: rapid bioassay method; microwave decomposition; solid-state scintillation; YAP:Ce
Abstract:
Rapid bioassay methods have been mainly proposed for the sequential measurements of actinides in human blood, bone marrow and urine. The method involves sample treatment using microwave digestion techniques followed by direct measurement of digested products using powder scintillator and alkaline solution as a replacement for traditional liquid scintillation cocktail. The selected group of radionuclides was chosen due to their occurrence in the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear accident, high radiotoxicity, and the possibility of potential misuses, such as dirty bombs. The work aimed at verifying the connection of microwave digestion using alkaline solution with solid-state scintillation using a powder scintillator YAP:Ce together with an alkaline medium.
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